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According to a UNICEF analysis, nearly 90 million children under 1 year old live in countries where their fathers aren't entitled by law to even a single day of paternity leave. While the United States government doesn't support paid national paternity leave, more and more companies are offering paid parental leave for fathers too. There are many benefits to taking paternity leave both within the workplace and with families. For one, offering family leave to both genders is a leap towards breaking down traditional gender stereotypes that hold back women's careers. It also increases employee satisfaction and allows working fathers to be more present with their children. Still, with these apparent benefits and more companies offering paternity leave than ever before, some men feel pressure against accepting paid paternity leave. There are traditional workplace cultures in the US that still punish the family man — new dads have been fired, demoted, or passed on for career opportunities for prioritizing their families. In this article, we'll uncover the long-lasting benefits of paternity leave both at home and within organizations. Table Of Contents "> Workplaces That Offer Paid Paternity Leave Have A More Positive Organizational Culture Paternity Leave Gives Fathers Time To Bond With Newborn Fathers Who Take Paternity Leave Are Less Likely To Get Divorced A Swedish Study Concludes Paid Paternity Leave Increases Both Spousal Earnings Tips for Making Paternity Leave Work For Your Family Find Out Your Company's Paternity Leave Policy And Save Early Family Leave Is Not A Vacation Work Out A Schedule With Your Family Encourage Your Partner To Talk To Other Dads Most Importantly, Don't Forget To Take Care Of Yourself And Trust The Recovery Process Workplaces That Offer Paid Paternity Leave Have A More Positive Organizational Culture If your company offers paid paternity leave, claim it. When only women are offered paid parental leave to care for their new baby, it pushes men and women further into traditional gender roles — men as breadwinners and women as the family care-takers. This makes it less likely for women to advance in their careers when they're left to pick up the duties at home. Offering leave benefits to both expecting mothers and fathers creates a lasting positive impact on the business by increasing job loyalty and satisfaction which in turn, trends with increased productivity and employee morale. Paternity Leave Gives Fathers Time To Bond With Newborn Nurture a strong bond with your newborn by taking paternity leave. The newborn phase (up to two months old) of a child's life is a critical bonding time with parents. According to the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWNONN), when fathers delay bonding with their children, they risk altering their long-term course of parental involvement through to childhood. Fathers with increased time to bond with their newborn, thanks to paternity pay, experience less stress and feel more confident stepping into their role as a father. Studies show there are many benefits to the development of children when fathers are present. A strong father-child bond can help boost mental development and increase emotional stability. Fathers Who Take Paternity Leave Are Less Likely To Get Divorced You can stay at home and help the new mom deal with pregnancy and even post-pregnancy stress. The female postpartum recovery is no walk in the park. On top of recovering from vaginal or c-section deliveries, new moms are now adjusting to life with a newborn with drastic lifestyle changes and new responsibilities. No matter what the Instagram moms show you, this isn't always a glamorous life, and it can cause a lot of insecurity and stress for new moms. In a recent paper looking at the lasting benefits of fathers who take paternity leave — even short periods of paternity leave —are less likely to go through a divorce as children reach school age. This is likely due to the fact that present fathers take a lot of the strain out of the new duties of parenthood by splitting household chores and quality time with infants. This paid family leave period, helps set a positive tone for couples' new lives together with their children. A Swedish Study Concludes Paid Paternity Leave Increases Both Spousal Earnings Interesting Swedish study proposes family leave increases household earnings over time Unfortunately, it's true that the United States is the only industrialized country without paid parental leave. The Swedish government has implemented a more family-centric approach and grants both parents up to 480 days of paid parental leave (each parent has a right to 90 of those days exclusively) at about 80% of their salary. An economic study found that the impact of granting fathers the ability to take leave from work without financial strain, increases both partners' earnings over time. Sweden is also a leader in female labor participation among advanced economies, and it's attributed to the encouragement of fathers to take paternity leave. Tips for Making Paternity Leave Work For Your Family Start preparing for your paternity leave as soon as possible. Find Out Your Company's Paternity Leave Policy And Save Early As we've mentioned earlier, not all companies grant benefits for paternity leave. Reach out to the human resources department to learn about your company's policies for paid family leave. Once you've figured out your paternity leave pay, you may need to adjust your budget and save to accommodate your family's upcoming expenses — most paternity leave benefits won't cover 100% of your salary. Even if your employer doesn't offer paid leave for new fathers. You may qualify for The Family Medical Leave Act (FLMA), which provides some employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave. There are a lot of requirements needed in order to qualify for this, but if you do, by now you should understand the many benefits of taking paternity leave. Family Leave Is Not A Vacation Sorry to burst your bubble if you were under the impression that "paternal leave" is code for vacation — it's not. Both parents find adjusting to a newborn baby to be a highly stressful period. It'll take team-work from both parties, patience, a lot of towels, and coffee (for dad) to survive the newborn phase — but trust us when we say the tears and all the hard work is worth the most rewarding experience of parenthood. Work Out A Schedule With Your Family As each family and circumstance is unique, consider establishing a household schedule of who will be taking leave and when. Some parents choose to take time off together, while others will stagger their leave to prolong the time before parents will need to pay for childcare. Encourage Your Partner To Talk To Other Dads Reach out to other parents and ask them about their paternity leave experience. You can find a lot of support from friends and families who may have undergone similar situations and can offer you their insight to the experience. It's important for fathers to stand up for themselves and make the importance of paid paternity leave known to their employers. Your paternity leave can help the new mom go back to work while you take care of the newborn. Most Importantly, Don't Forget To Take Care Of Yourself And Trust The Recovery Process Yes, there is an overwhelming amount of new factors to consider when bringing new life into the world. With your partner committing to spend more time with the family, you can rest assured that both you and your baby will be well taken care of as you adjust to your new life together. One of the best investments for a mom's postpartum recovery is hands-down the Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets. They're more than flattering shape-wear underwear — these garments are designed for the post-pregnancy body. They're FDA-approved and offer medical-grade compression to support speedy and comfortable healing. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. With a high-quality postpartum girdle, you can get back to your regular exercise, household duties, and even feel comfortable at work sooner. The compression hugs the belly in to provide support your core and back, easing muscle strain while at the same time, slimming your figure. Our mission is to provide real support and confidence to moms after giving birth, and these postpartum girdles that are designed to do just that — giving you one less thing to worry about. How did you help your partner to take his paternity leave? Our readers would love to benefit from your experiences by getting some more insights as to why dads should take paternity leave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cosnBs0Ko2M

It’s important that you steer clear of these things until your postpartum body has had time to fully heal!

When you take your adorable baby home from the hospital, don't expect to get a newborn baby instruction manual. Just as every individual is unique in their own way, you can anticipate having unusual experiences raising your babies, but they will be some of the fondest memories. There are, however, a list of common weird occurrences that can happen in the first several weeks of bringing home your baby. We've compiled a list of 10 adorably weird things about newborn babies you can come to expect as a new mother, and we have some tips for you at the end of the article on surviving the first few weeks of the newborn phase. The newborn phase (from birth up to two months of age) is stranger than you can possibly imagine. The baby's body is developing at such a rapid rate and is constantly adjusting to its new environment. As a new mom, you'll be carefully anticipating your baby's needs and some of the odd happenings can even worry you. We'll guide you through what's completely normal and when you should seek medical advice in this article. Let's jump into the list of 10 strange, yet endearing happenings during your baby's first stage of life to help you better prepare for these moments with your family. The newborn phase in every baby’s life is weirder than you imagine. Their bodies are developing at a rapid rate and you may not even notice just how remarkable life is for them because you haven’t been an infant for a long time. Table Of Contents "> 1. The Cradle Cap Will Disappear On Its Own 2. Explosive Poops 3. Your Baby Has Boobs 4. Your Baby Makes Strange Noises 5. Achoo — Babies Sneeze A Lot 6. Newborns Are Clumsy 7. Your Adorable Baby Has A Weird Head-Shape 8. Your Baby's Eyes Are Crossed 9. Your Baby Has Abnormal-Looking Genitals 10. Babies Belch And Fart A Lot Tips For Surviving The Newborn Phase As A New Mom Get Enough Sleep Balance Your Hormones Take Some Alone Time Wear A High-Quality Postpartum Girdle 1. The Cradle Cap Will Disappear On Its Own The cradle cap is the crusty, scaly patches on your newborn baby's scalp around the hairline. While it may appear unsightly and a cause for concern, cradle caps are harmless, for the most part, and will eventually disappear on its own within a few months. You can help speed up the healing process by brushing your baby's hair and scalp with a soft baby brush after bathing to loosen up the dead skin. And to help with the dryness and itching, you can rub baby oil to the affected area. For severe cases of cradle cap, you can ask your doctor for a medicated lotion, but as we said, this condition should clear up on its own and often doesn't require any medication. 2. Explosive Poops Don't let the temporary poop explosion scare you! It will give you something to laugh about later on! Once in a while, your adorable baby might scare you with an unusually large, explosive bowel movement that breaks the boundaries of the diaper — oozing up the back and down chubby legs. These moments are the kinds of images you can't unsee, but I promise they make for hilarious stories later on. It's completely normal for massive poops to happen. Here are newborn stool situations for when you should contact the doctor for concern: Experiences continued diarrhea Red or black stools (may indicate internal bleeding) Your baby doesn't poop for more than three days Stools are hard and pebbly Stools are watery with mucus Stool color is chalky 3. Your Baby Has Boobs Your newborn might sport some cleavage. It's normal for newborn girls and boys to have lumps under the nipples. This strange baby boobs situation are due to hormones. In your womb, your baby is exposed to your body chemistry. The fluctuation of hormones that enlarges your breasts and prepares them for breastfeeding can also affect your baby's chest. Not to worry, though, you'll notice their chest returning to normal in no time as the hormones run their course and balance out in the the baby's body. Don't squeeze or massage your new born's breast to speed up the process. Doing so may cause infections if you rupture tissue. 4. Your Baby Makes Strange Noises Pay close attention to what their bodies are doing and when so you can uncover the mystery that is your newborn child. Babies are very vocal and will be making a lot of unusual noises. We'll go through a few common sounds your baby may make to help you decipher what they may need. Gurgling: This is caused by air passing through the baby's saliva or refluxed milk. It can also come from the belly as a result of digestion. Snorting: Your newborn baby is adjusting to breathing air. Snorts and grunts can happen because babies breathe through their noses, where there is sometimes a buildup of mucus. Because babies don't know how to blow their nose when it's congested, you need to clear out the mucus with a nasal bulb. Grunting: Newborn grunting is usually related to digestion. However, if your baby is grunting often (with every breath) it may be a sign of distress, and you should contact your doctor. Hiccups: Hiccups are perfectly normal and can arise from swallowing air while breastfeeding. Burping your baby can be helpful to ease hiccups — but if that doesn't do the trick, the hiccups will go away on their own, and it shouldn't interfere with eating or sleeping. 5. Achoo — Babies Sneeze A Lot Aren't sneezing babies the cutest? These tiny sneezes are indeed adorable, and you don't need to worry — your newborn sneezing isn't a sign of illness. Babies are extra sensitive to their environments, and it's just their way of clearing their nasal passage of fluff, dust, milk, and mucus. 6. Newborns Are Clumsy Babies are still figuring out how to use their equipment Your adorable baby has clumsy, involuntary movements because they simply don't have muscle control — but most of the time, this is perfectly okay. These movements are responses to sensations they're feeling in their muscles and your baby is learning how to coordinate movements. When there is a cause for concern is when the baby stiffens suddenly with an arched back and the head will bend forward. The eyes can also roll to the back of the head. Though sometimes this can look subtle, these jerky movements are a sign of an infantile spasm, and you should seek treatment immediately. 7. Your Adorable Baby Has A Weird Head-Shape You'll get used to the odd shaped head sooner than you thought. Noggins seldom seem normal on newborns. Babies' heads are soft and malleable to allow them to move through the birth canal and to accommodate a rapidly growing brain. Once your baby's hair starts growing in thicker, you'll soon forget how strange their head shape appeared. 8. Your Baby's Eyes Are Crossed Your baby will soon learn how to gaze back into your eyes Criss-cross applesauce. Newborn babies tend to look cross-eyed. Sometimes, babies can be born with extra folds of skin around the inner corners of their eyes, giving them that cross-eyed appearance. For the majority of babies, the cross-eyed look is simply due to the fact they don't yet have control over the muscles around the eyes and can't focus on what they're looking at. By 3 or 4 months old, your baby's eyes will naturally straighten out. 9. Your Baby Has Abnormal-Looking Genitals Your child's private parts may look strange due to inflammation. It's nothing to lose sleep over in most cases. Unless your baby winces or cries out in pain when you change their diaper, you shouldn't worry. 10. Babies Belch And Fart A Lot Gassy but cute! Burping is a result of your baby swallowing air from feeding or crying. Burping is simply the body's way of releasing gas buildup. As for the farting, your baby is learning how to digest food while the digestive muscles are still developing; this can cause your baby to produce more gas. To relieve your gassy baby, you can burp your baby mid-feedings as well as after feedings to help rid excess air swallowed. There are also infant gas drops that you add to milk bottles to help reduce infant gassiness. And you can encourage more tummy time to put gentle pressure on the belly to relieve gas. This newborn period, as stress-full as it can be, will be over before you know it. And you'll find yourself reminiscing about your baby's tiny size and weird quirks. As promised, we want to equip you new moms with some helpful advice for surviving a newborn baby. Tips For Surviving The Newborn Phase As A New Mom These tips will focus on your health and wellbeing as a new mother. Oftentimes, moms will get so carried away worrying about every coo and gurgle their baby makes, while completely ignoring their self-care needs. Prioritizing your health is a benefit to the whole family. Get Enough Sleep If you're wondering how to balance your hormones after pregnancy, sleep is part of your answer. There is a relationship with the sleep-wake cycle and hormone secretion, especially in women. Bringing a newborn baby home will inevitably mean a disruption in your sleep cycle. Sleep hygiene is foundational to your overall health. While you might not realistically get the shut-eye you need throughout the night, you can catch up on naps in the day when your baby sleeps. And don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, so you can catch a few hours of sleep — it's not a luxury, it's a requirement. Balance Your Hormones Balancing your hormonal changes after pregnancy can be massive article all on its own, but we'll briefly touch on ways you get bring your hormones back to baseline. The pregnancy hormones are responsible for the many psychical and psychological changes you experience carrying your baby, delivering your baby, and during recovery. Progesterone is at an all-time high during pregnancy. This hormone relaxes your joints and ligaments to accomodate your growing baby, but once you deliver your newborn, it almost immediately drops and another hormone, prolactin is more prominently noticed. Prolactin is responsible for milk production, and some research suggests it to affect dopamine levels (happiness hormone). Prolactin may be the reason to blame for low energy levels, moodiness, raised anxiety, and a slow metabolism after your baby arrives. There are many factors that go into balancing your hormones naturally, which the other tips in this section will also help to address. Essentially, you primarily want to focus on: Stress management (take alone time, sleep well, exercise) Heal your gut (eat healthy, well-balanced meals) Balance your blood sugar (avoid carb-heavy, sugary, processed foods that spike your blood sugar) Take vitamins to balance estrogen, liver function, and energy levels Take Some Alone Time Don't feel guilty about "me-time." Taking time for yourself will make you a better mom and will improve your relationship with your baby and the people around you. This will also require some extra help to look after the baby either from your partner or other family members — but hey, it takes a village to raise a child, right? Remember, you don't have to jump into motherhood all on your own and it's perfectly okay to accept the help when offered. Use this me-time to go out for a walk, visit a spa, exercise, or run errands on your own to regenerate yourself. Wear A High-Quality Postpartum Girdle Make your postpartum recovery a priority. One of the best investments for ensuring a speedy, comfortable postpartum recovery is a Bellefit girdle or corset. You can start wearing a post-pregnancy girdle hours after delivery, and there are styles that suit vaginal and c-section deliveries. While the transitional period between delivery and getting back to your pre-pregnancy body is notoriously difficult, you can make it easier on yourself with the right recovery strategy. A doctor recommended and FDA-approved girdle has medical-grade compression to provide you with abdominal and back support, reduce swelling, and help you feel more confident in your clothes. Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets - Medical-Grade, FDA Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles as well as Plus Sizes. This means you get back to your daily routines sooner, start exercising sooner, and keep up with your rapidly growing newborn baby. Bellefit has the largest collection of post-pregnancy recovery girdles and corsets styles from sizes XS – 3XL. Many moms find it helpful to purchase two girdle sizes — one for right after delivery, when swelling is at its peak. This will typically the larger size. When your swelling has reduced, and you start to lose weight, you'll switch to the size down to help stretch the benefits of compression therapy around your midsection for even greater weight loss support. What's the one thing about your newborn that surprised you the most? Let all the new mommies come together to celebrate their most cherished moments with their newborn!

Among the many milestones in your baby’s life worth celebrating, your baby's first words are music to your ears. You’ll want to capture their babbling throughout their earliest stages of life because you know that you’ll soon hear words you can recognize such as “Momma,” “Dadda,” and “Baba.” Having them try to express themselves in a way that doesn’t involve crying is something you’ll cherish and want to record on audio or video so you can show them once they’re older. Table Of Contents "> Babies Start to Speak Between 9 and 14 Months of Age How to Encourage your Baby to Speak! Babies Learn to Say No Very Soon Document Your Baby's First Words Be Your Best Self, so They Can Too! Use this list to refer to whenever you’re expecting to hear your baby’s first words. It gives you an idea when to expect your child to speak as well as ideas on ways to encourage them to speak more than just baby talk. Babies Start to Speak Between 9 and 14 Months of Age When do babies say their first words? You’ll hear them making sounds prior to saying their first words. They’re mimicking the sounds that they hear in their environment until they’ve reached about eight months in age. That’s when they start trying to formulate their first words. You’ll hear them say very simple words between nine months and fourteen months of age. How to Encourage your Baby to Speak! Your encouragement can help your baby saying first words quite early. If you want to foster a love for communication in your child, there are things you can do. For example, speaking slowly, clearly, and enunciating words helps them become familiar with the sounds you make. Stating that things belong to a specific person such as Mommy, Daddy, Sissy or Brother helps, too. They start to learn the names of the people they spend time with. You can also read books to them at an early age and watch age-appropriate TV shows that focus on vocabulary, singing, and repetition. It’s among the easiest ways that children learn. They love the sing-songy sound of words being strung together and it helps them remember what they’ve heard better. Babies Learn to Say No Very Soon You baby will take your head off, once they start speaking. Once your child starts learning more and more vocabulary, they’re likely to talk your head off. In fact, you’ll have a hard time believing that they didn’t speak. In fact, sometimes you’ll wish they never learned the word “No,” because it will quickly be their way of expressing defiance or disagreement with what you’ve asked from them. Document Your Baby's First Words Enjoy the first words of your child, even if you can't make out any meaning. Your baby’s first words may sound a little less like gibberish. It’s a milestone worth documenting no matter how you look at it. Even if they say “Daddy,” before they say “Mommy,” it’s worth recording and sharing with others because it’s quite the feat. Your little one will have plenty more to say in the upcoming months, so get ready for it! Sharing how your child is developing with family and friends is easy thanks to social media and the Internet. You can quickly press record on your smartphone and document the first time your child says different words or phrases. The people closest to you will delight in being part of you and your baby’s journey to becoming a well-spoken toddler. Be Your Best Self, so They Can Too! Encouraging your baby to start talking at the right age requires your attention, time and focus. After all, as a new mom you are going through many physical and mental transformations post delivery. Being a new mom can be stressful and overwhelming. A postpartum girdle or corset can help you get back to focusing on your new baby, while speeding up your recovery. The compression can help reduce swelling and provide back support that is much needed after labor. Invest in a postpartum girdle today to make sure you are taking care of yourself while taking care of them too. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. If you have been one of those proud moms, who helped their baby speak out their first words easily at the right age, we would love to hear back. Let us know some of the tricks and tips you used yourself.

Massage benefits the body and the mind. If you’re pregnant and experiencing aches and pains due to the weight you’ve gained, you’ll love all the things that this healing modality has to offer you. In fact, you won’t go another minute without having a prenatal massage. It’s a safe and effective way to relieve stress and soothe an aching body after the first three months of pregnancy. Table Of Contents Learning What You Can About Prenatal Massage The Benefits of Regular Massages An Investment in Your Physical Health and Overall Well-Being Find a Specialist Near You Contact Your Doctor If You Have Concerns About Prenatal Massage Learning What You Can About Prenatal Massage A prenatal massage can significantly boost your mood and relieve stress. Wondering what is a prenatal massage and why you should get one? Here are the things you need to know about prenatal massage. Consider this a short primer that introduces you to the subject as well as provides details about what makes it ideal for you and your baby. That way, you’ll know right away if it’s the type of healing modality you’d like to explore further. The Benefits of Regular Massages Regular massage during pregnancy can help keep stress levels down and mood swings at bay. Massages have a long list of benefits. Once you’ve reached the stage of pregnancy where it is safe to have one, you’ll experience measurable results. Not only will your muscles feel less tense, but your mind also won’t stress you out as easily, either. Massages for pregnant mothers are very calming. In addition to that, they also helps the lymphatic system by moving toxins and waste out of the body. By stimulating the lymph nodes, you’re able to make sure that all the bad stuff that you’ve come into contact with in your environment is flushed from your body and your baby’s body. You’ll notice a big difference in how your joints, neck, back, and legs feel. A maternity massage is excellent in helping ease symptoms of insomnia as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also keep your head clear and prevent headaches from ruining your day. An Investment in Your Physical Health and Overall Well-Being Get instant relief from swelling and aches through a prenatal massage. A prenatal massage is well worth the expense. It provides relief from swelling, pain, and even congestion. In addition to that, it boosts your mood and gives you something indulgent to look forward to. It’s a healthy healing modality to add to your self-care toolbox. Moreover, it’s also something that could very well benefit your child because stress takes its toll on unborn babies. Find a Specialist Near You To find a qualified prenatal massage therapist in your area, ask for a recommendation or read reviews online to learn about the professionals offering this type of service in your city. Just head onto Google and type 'prenatal massage near me' - and viola! You can always interview the professional by having a consultation done first to make sure that they are someone who can help you throughout your pregnancy. Writing up a list of questions to ask the massage therapist at the time of your appointment helps. It jogs your memory and makes sure that nothing is left unsaid before you commit to having regular massages done by the person. Contact Your Doctor If You Have Concerns About Prenatal Massage Ask your doctor if it's right for you. If you have concerns as to whether you, personally, can have a prenatal massage or when to get a prenatal massage, ask your doctor. They will be able to give you medical advice and guidance as to whether it is something that your body can handle while carrying a child. You can continue to feel supported physically long after your massage by wearing Bellefit pregnancy support garments underneath your clothing. The excess swelling can be later addressed by religiously wearing Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets that will beautifully tone up your body. Do you believe that prenatal massage should be an integral part of prenatal care?

Part of the healing process following delivery is finding healing modalities that work best for you. Among the most popular with new mothers is the postpartum massage. Somewhat different than the service you receive at a spa, it’s one way to treat yourself well after giving birth. Table Of Contents Benefits of a Postpartum Massage Where to Find a Reputable Massage Therapist Things to Look for in a Massage Therapist Other Postpartum Aftercare Benefits of a Postpartum Massage Postpartum massage helps lower stress levels and boosts blood circulation throughout the body. There are many benefits associated with postpartum massage. Among the most notable include: Muscle Relaxation. Helps with tension which causes back, neck, and shoulder pain. Lower Stress Hormones such as Cortisol, the Fight or Flight Hormone. Postpartum massage supports the lymphatic system which moves toxins and waste from the body. Increased Circulation. Better blood flow means that your body is getting the vital nutrients it needs to thrive. A Restored Sense of Self. Now that your life is being guided by an infant’s needs and well-being, it’s important that you stick to a self-care plan that is manageable for you. Now that you’re aware of what post natal massage can do for you, it’s time to find a massage therapist you can trust. Below, we’ll explain the qualities to look for in a professional. That way, you can narrow your search, find someone you trust, and get to work healing immediately. Where to Find a Reputable Massage Therapist Look for a qualified massage therapist to get the most out of the experience. The internet is full of reviews of massage therapists and other healers. It’s important to take a few minutes to acquaint yourself with the anatomy of a review so you can quickly determine if it’s legitimate or not. By eliminating fact from fiction, you get a clearer picture of the person you’re interested in working with, their massage style, and the price of their services. Things to Look for in a Massage Therapist Some of the things you need to pay close attention to when researching massage therapists are: Their education and credentials. Where did they go to school? What did their training entail? Do they specialize in certain types of massage therapy? Their reputation in the community. What do other people have to say about them? Are the reviews you find online positive? Do they have a social media presence that they manage? The way that they work. Do they seemed rushed or scattered when speaking to you? Or, do they appear to be relaxed, patient, and ready to help? Their pricing structure. Are they transparent about pricing? Do they have a pay structure that is in your budget? Their demeanor and rapport with you. Is their personality genuinely happy? Do they answer your questions and explain what they’re going to do before touching you? Other Postpartum Aftercare It feels luxurious to pamper yourself after giving birth. A postpartum massage allows you to release any stress that has kept your muscles taught and move excess fluid around so that it passes easily through the lymphatic system. A good rubdown helps reduce anxiety and relieve stress, too, which is why the relationship you build with your massage therapist is valuable. Engaging in regular self-care such as massages helps you tend to your needs first so you’re better able to take care of your baby and the other important people in your life. Don't stop there. Make sure you engage in other self-care as well, like a postpartum girdle or corset. Our Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets, are designed to be comfortable and get you back to feeling your best self while also speeding up your recovery. Not only will these help you eliminate any excess swelling, but they'll also tone down your body to a great extent - helping you get back to feeling confident in your new body. Do you believe that regular postpartum massages help in speeding up the recovery process?

Here is what you need to know about pregnancy and hot tubs, sauna -- in other words, heat during pregnancy!

Now that you’ve given birth to your baby, you can expect company and lots newborn visitors. After all, nothing is more exciting than a brand-new baby. Your family and friends will want to set their sights and their hands on your child just as soon as the baby has left your womb. Dealing with unwanted visitors after baby birth could be a challenge, but not if you know how. Table Of Contents Dealing with Family Visiting after Birth When Hospital Waiting Room is Packed Newborn Visitors after Birth When You are Recovering Dealing with Kids after Baby is Born When You Shouldn’t Have Any Guests Visiting after Birth Take Time for Yourself That doesn’t mean, however, that your hospital room must be a revolving door of people coming and going. You can entertain and have boundaries without coming across as being brash. You’re the one who just went through labor and the delivery process. You call the shots. If you’re not up for a beeline of family and friends in the days following giving birth, have your partner or a good friend announce visiting hours. That way, you only need to entertain for a predetermined amount of time before squeezing in some shuteye before your little one starts crying again. Use this list for help handling your postpartum visitors like a boss. Dealing with Family Visiting after Birth When Hospital Waiting Room is Packed Ask only one person to stay in the hospital's waiting room to avoid rush. If you’re one of many mothers giving birth at the same time, you’ll find that the hospital’s waiting room is jam-packed with anxious relatives and friends. To make the process more comfortable for everyone, you may suggest that one person stay behind in the waiting room while the rest of your guests saunter down the street to the all-night coffeehouse. Once you’ve delivered your baby, the person that was appointed the waiting room watch owl can retrieve the rest of your family visiting after baby is born and friends who are now sufficiently caffeinated and fed. Newborn Visitors after Birth When You are Recovering Let the people know when to come and visit you in the hospital for fast recovery. Depending on how the delivery went, you could spend two to four days resting and postpartum recovery. That’s when you let the people who want to visit you know when to come. The hospital’s visitation hours will dictate the window where guests visiting after birth are allowed. If you expect to be sleeping or breastfeeding at a certain time, you can easily let your family and friends know that the time isn’t right for you. Dealing with Kids after Baby is Born Children may or may not be allowed to visit the hospital. You may have children or have family visiting after baby is born, who have children and want to visit you in the hospital. Depending on the facility’s policy, kids may not be permitted outside the waiting room. If that is the case, suggest a different time for their parents to visit when you’re at home with no limitations on visitation. That, or people can take turns watching the kids while the adults visit. When You Shouldn’t Have Any Guests Visiting after Birth Politely refuse the visitors, when you are tired, or just not feeling like meeting guests at hospital. If you are just too tired to entertain or know that someone in your social circle hasn’t felt well, it’s best to plan a visit later on. A baby’s immune system isn’t developed until they’re several weeks old. Putting them into contact with a sick relative or family friend could be a recipe for disaster. Politely express why you want to postpone the visitors after birth and schedule a get-together in the future to avoid hurting feelings. Take Time for Yourself Giving birth is exhausting. If you need a break from all the people who have come to visit you and your baby in the hospital, let them know. You can always have a gathering with everyone you love and care about after you’ve left the hospital. That way, you get the rest that you need and don’t feel overwhelmed by the traffic coming into and going out of your hospital room. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. You also probably want to be looking and feeling your best when family comes around for the first time after the baby is born. The quickest and easiest way to do this is by investing in a Bellefit postpartum girdle. By getting the right kind of support for your post-delivery body, you can recover faster and better. Leaving your body neglected in its initial days post-delivery, may hamper your ability to perform the tasks required of you. We would love to hear back any interesting story you have to share about dealing with visitors after birth? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-5K-TIWzkA

So, you want to know if you’re ovulating or not. What signs do you look for? Does your behavior change? What about your mood? There are some telling signs to look for which indicate that you’re ovulating, highly fertile, ready to conceive and can get pregnant easily. We’ve listed them below for your convenience. Table Of Contents 1. Increased Sex Drive Means You are Ovulating 2. Hyper-sensitivities Means You are Ready to Conceive 3. Tender Breasts and Lower Abdomen Pain Signals High Fertility 4. Thinner Discharge Means Sperms are Welcomed 5. Your Base Body Temperature Slightly Increases When You are Ovulating Use an App to Track Ovulation and Know When You are Most Fertile 1. Increased Sex Drive Means You are Ovulating You will feel an extra urge for having sex when ovulating. If you feel the urge to have more sex during this time, it’s the body’s way of telling you that you’re highly fertile. This specific time of the month is perfect for baby making. Physiologically, you’re feeling the urge because your body is telling you to mate and procreate. Your partner might be surprised at your sudden increase in libido as you get ready for pregnancy. 2. Hyper-sensitivities Means You are Ready to Conceive You will feel all your senses hyper sensitive when you start ovulating. If you’ve discovered that your senses are in overdrive, it could be due to your ovulation process. If you’re seeing clearer, smelling stronger, hearing louder, tasting with greater awareness or noticing that your sense of touch has increased, it’s due to the changes in your body. It’s like you’re superhuman because you’re so in tune with your senses! 3. Tender Breasts and Lower Abdomen Pain Signals High Fertility Tender breasts and lower abdomen pain signals high fertility in you. This is a sign that the egg is dropping in the body. You’ll notice discomfort during this time of the month. Your breasts will be super tender and you’ll feel cramping in your lower abdomen. These are signs that you’re ovulating or will be soon ready to conceive easily. 4. Thinner Discharge Means Sperms are Welcomed When you notice thinner discharge, it means you are ovulating. This is so that it creates an environment that welcomes sperm into it. You may notice that the mucus is much thinner. After ovulation, it goes back to normal state which is much thicker in consistency. You’ll notice the change each month as it happens. 5. Your Base Body Temperature Slightly Increases When You are Ovulating Noticing a slight increase in your normal body temperature means you are in ovulation process. The basal body temperature decreases while ovulating. It increases after your body is done with ovulation. You can keep track of your temperatures and notice a slight fluctuation during this time of the month. The more aware you are that your body is ovulating, the better prepared you become to embrace the experience of getting pregnant easily. You’ll know when your menstrual cycle will start as well as the best times of the month for conceiving. If you haven’t gotten pregnant yet and want to start trying, knowing how you ovulate helps. Use an App to Track Ovulation and Know When You are Most Fertile Many mobile apps are available these days, where you can easily track your ovulation process. There are distinct signs telling you that you’re ovulating and highly fertile. Knowing when your body is the most fertile allows you to become pregnant easier. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without any luck, downloading an app to your phone that tells you which days of the month you’re ovulating can help. It’s one of the many tools available for tracking your menstrual cycle and fertility. Getting ready for pregnancy is just the first step towards your journey to motherhood. No doubt, it is exciting but some women are quite apprehensive knowing that their body might change post pregnancy. Although, a proactive approach would help you stay as gorgeous post pregnancy as you are today. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. No matter what your birthing process was, there are plenty of ways to stay fit and feeling your best. Postpartum girdles help you feel supported and confident in your post-pregnancy body. So get back to feeling confident and ready to take on the world again - by investing in a postpartum girdle today! How about letting us know if you have detected any other critical sign in your body which signaled that you were ovulating and got pregnant? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rNFLu7WDQw

When you’re pregnant, there are many different considerations to make concerning your health. Choosing a safe sunscreen during pregnancy is important to keep your baby safe inside your womb. After all, it’s not just you who is affected by your decisions. Your baby is, too. That’s why it’s important to learn everything you can about the risks that come with too much sun exposure. You’ll be able to avoid potentially dangerous situations from occurring because you’ll be well-prepared to spend time outdoors. Table Of Contents Sun is at its Peak Between 12 PM to 3 PM Mineral or Physical Sunscreens are Ideal for Pregnant Women SPF between 30 and 50 Controls Tanning While Pregnant Avoid Oxybenzone and Retinyl Palmitate Based Sunscreens Use Only Pregnancy Safe Sunscreens Based on Natural Ingredients This list tells you what you need to know about sunscreen safety and pregnancy. Sun is at its Peak Between 12 PM to 3 PM Avoid going out in sun during peak hours. Anyone who has the option to avoid the sun during its peak times of day is advised to do so. This is especially the case for women who are pregnant. Too much heat exposure from sun rays raises your body temperature which wreaks havoc on your unborn child’s body. Mineral or Physical Sunscreens are Ideal for Pregnant Women Buy sunscreens made from natural ingredients for use during pregnancy. The active ingredient, zinc oxide, doesn’t cause harm in the way other sunscreen ingredients do to the tender skin of developing baby inside your womb. It sits on the skin versus being absorbed by the skin. Select a sunscreen brand that uses natural ingredients, has excellent product reviews, and is waterproof. That way, if you do decide to swim, you won’t need to reapply the product. SPF between 30 and 50 Controls Tanning While Pregnant Use Sunscreens with SPF between 30 and 50 to avoid tanning during pregnancy. Your skin will receive ample protection that way. You’re going to want to block the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a lightweight, long-sleeved blouse is ideal because they provide you with better protection from the brilliant glowing orb in the sky. You’ll want to wear sunscreen all year long and under fluorescent lighting indoors, too. That way, you’re not taking any chances on you or your baby’s health. If you wear makeup, look for products with SPF protection and a list of natural ingredients approved by your primary care physician. Avoid Oxybenzone and Retinyl Palmitate Based Sunscreens Completely boycott sunscreens based on oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate during pregnancy. The first causes allergic skin reactions. The second makes lesions and tumors form on the skin. It can cause skeletal birth defects in foetuses, too, which is why pregnant women should never use a sunscreen containing one or both of the ingredients. Learning to read labels carefully helps you avoid making a serious mistake choosing sunscreen while pregnant that hurts your unborn child. When in doubt, ask a lot of questions. Have your OBGYN recommend a brand of sunscreen that is ideal for pregnant women as well as unborn baby, so you know exactly what you can use when spending time outdoors. Use Only Pregnancy Safe Sunscreens Based on Natural Ingredients Read the ingredients before buying any sunscreen. Now that you know the importance of wearing safe sunscreen while pregnant and which ingredients to avoid, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about buying the best safe sunscreen. Ultimately, you’ll protect your unborn child from danger by avoiding raising your body temperature to dangerous levels. When you spend too much time out in the sun, it poses a threat for both you and your baby. Doing things that make your pregnancy easier not harder is essential. After all, you’re already experiencing some big changes happening in your body. Having comfortable prenatal undergarments to wear while outdoors helps you stay cool during the hottest days of summer. Wear underwear and bra which keeps your body temperature lower, so your sunscreen can do its job by preventing sun damage to your skin. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. On the other hand, some specially designed postpartum girdles for quick recovery post C-section surgery makes it easier for you, physically as well as mentally. Most of the women face a tough time dealing with their body changes post pregnancy. Keeping your body in shape as it was before pregnancy might feel like a challenge, but believe us, it is not, if have the right solution. We would love to hear back your own views and experiences about the ways you dealt with harsh sun exposure while you were pregnant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwdI3NUIVMM

A good spa treatment is relaxing. It’s a self-care practice that many women engage in. So, should you worry about your safety while pregnant and receiving pregnancy spa services?

A nanny is someone who fills in for you while you are away. They become a trusted part of your family because you leave your infant, baby or children with them. Knowing what to look for in a good nanny is key behind choosing a nanny. Table Of Contents Consult the Society of Professional Nannies Before Hiring Meet the Nanny in Person before Signing a Baby Caretaker Contract Keep a Check on How They Care for Your Baby Do Criminal Background Check Before Finalising One Is it Enough for You as a New Mom to Just Hire a Nanny! It helps you provide much-needed services for your kids while you are working, going to school or running a business. They’re available to assist even when you need a short break and time to engage in self-care which helps you be a better parent overall. Here is what you need to know about hiring a nanny for your baby. Consult the Society of Professional Nannies Before Hiring Get in touch with society of professional nannies before hiring one. The Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies takes the guesswork out of finding the right person as a nanny to care for your child. Always read reviews of an agency and testimonials given by other families who had children cared for by the nanny you’re interested in. Check all references to get a feel for how they took care of the babies and kids they were in charge of. You’ll get a good idea of what to expect once you’ve scheduled a face-to-face meeting with the nanny. Meet the Nanny in Person before Signing a Baby Caretaker Contract Have a face to face meeting with the prospective baby caretaker before hiring them. It doesn’t matter how good a person looks on paper. You want to see how they relate to you and your children in person. That way, you can get a good sense of who they are as people and how they’ll work as your kid's nanny to take good care of them while you are away. Even if a person seems like the best nanny for you over the phone, make sure to schedule a time to meet with them face-to-face. Keep a Check on How They Care for Your Baby Keep an eye over the newly appointed caretaker to ensure all goes well. You’ll want to see how the nanny work with your kids. This is especially the case if you have more than one child, an infant or a child with special needs. Not everyone is cut out to care for families of children, babies or kids that require extra time and attention, but a good nanny knows it well. Watching how the nanny interacts with the children helps you build trust in their abilities to care for your loved ones. Do Criminal Background Check Before Finalising One Criminal background check of your nanny before hiring can save you any uninvited trouble. It further eases your mind, identify any red flags that may not have been disclosed by the nanny/agency he or she works for. It’s well worth the cost. You can mention that you plan to do a few security checks before employing a person as your newborn's nanny. That way, they cannot state that you violated their privacy by doing so. Choosing a nanny for your child is no easy task, something you’ll want to do soon after delivery of your baby. Now you know the basics of what it takes, you’ll have a much easier time doing so in the future. You’ll be clear about the character traits you want the person to possess as your newborn's nanny. You also know what red flags to look for in a person that isn’t the right caregiver for your baby. Now, you can avoid the heartache that comes with choosing a nanny that isn’t the right fit for your family. Is it Enough for You as a New Mom to Just Hire a Nanny! Getting a nanny is only half the process. Now, what about your own body, brain and heart! Every single woman post-pregnancy, specially after going through C-section surgery needs focused care. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. Don't you feel the cramps in stomach, uneasiness, different feel of your own body post-delivery! Postpartum girdles were devised keeping such concerns of new moms in mind. Healthy diet, regular exercise and these girdles get your body in shape, brain at peace and heart full of love. Did you faced any other major challenge while hiring the best nanny for yourself? How did you dealt with it! Let us hear back, so that many other moms in similar situation can benefit out of your experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-YVUbYHi0A